The root causes of hair thinning

Thinning hair can be worrying

As we get older, our skin ages and our hair thins. There are several major causes of this hair thinning, some of which we cannot change, and others than we can address. This short article will review broadly the major causes of age-related hair thinning. Before we begin, it’s important to note that hair loss can be caused by a number of medical conditions, and if you suspect that you may be suffering from one, please consult with a doctor.

Two of the major causes of age-related hair thinning that we conventionally think about are genetics and androgen hormones. While we can’t change your genetics, we can address androgens.

One of the effects of these androgens, however, is that they inhibit growth of the hair on the scalp. Our serums are designed to combat this using naturally derived plant extracts; in The Treatment, for example, we included Saw Palmetto, a potent natural inhibitor of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme, found within the scalp, converts the androgen testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is 2.5 to 10 times more potent. By decreasing DHT production within the scalp, we can maximize hair growth without the systemic effects of suppressing your normal and healthy androgens.

We now know that the environment plays a critical role in the ageing process. In the same way that environmental exposures age our facial skin and cause wrinkles, these same forces age our scalps and cause hair thinning.

Environmental stress ages our scalps through oxidative stress. Factors such as pollution, UV exposure, smoking, and stress, all lead to the generation of harmful free radicals within the scalp that cause DNA and protein damage. Inflammation of the scalp, caused by dandruff or irritating hair care products also lead to oxidative stress, through a process known as ‘inflammaging’.

Our treatments and products target all three of these modifiable causes of age-related hair thinning; oxidative stress, ‘inflammaging’ and androgen hormones.